Why it's time to stop talking about English identity | Alex Niven

Countering conservative patriotism with a liberal version is almost impossible unless England becomes independent

Never underestimate the surreal wisdom of the great British public. That is the message to be gleaned from a recent YouGov survey, which showed that over a third of adults living in England would vote yes to the question, “Should England be an independent country?” if a referendum were held tomorrow (the figure rises to nearly 50% among the over-65s).

These findings point to a key problem with the seemingly endless recent debate about English patriotism. Some participants no doubt held nuanced views about the uncertain future of the UK. But framing the question as one of “English independence” shows how hopelessly confused the discourse of nationalism has become over the last few years. Which imperial yoke would these hypothetical yes voters be throwing off in an English independence referendum? The United Kingdom — a nation state centred on, led by, and overwhelmingly dominated by England over the last three centuries? Or some other, imagined oppressor?

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